Inter-America: Church kicks off online week of prayer for pastoral families

Inter-American Division leaders open the first online week of prayer for pastoral families on Jan. 31, 2014, from Miami, Florida.  More than 3,200 pastors and their families across the territory were expected to view the live program and the following online programs during the next week from their homes. Images by Libna Stevens/IAD

February 2, 2014 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD

Inter-America kicked off its first online week of prayer for thousands of pastoral families across the Seventh-day Adventist Church throughout its territory, on Jan. 31, live from the Inter-American Division (IAD) Headquarters in Miami, Florida.

Adventist World Church President Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson and wife Nancy encouraged pastors and their families across the IAD to remain strong in the Lord and take time to read and claim the promises in God’s Word.

Church leaders expected to reach the 3,200 pastoral homes to guard the unity of their family and to thank ministers and their families for the tireless work they do in caring for the more than 19,000 churches and congregations across the IAD.

“Our main objective for this week of prayer is to encourage each minister to continue to ensure the salvation of his family and the salvation of the church members,” stated Dr. Elie Henry, executive secretary for the church in Inter-America, as he was surrounded by ministerial association, family ministries and shepherdess ministry directors on stage.

In a pre-recorded video message Adventist World Church President Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson and his wife Nancy greeted pastors and their families and praised their dedication to their challenging work.

“As you consider the vital work you have each been called to do, I want to encourage you to go forward in the joy and strength of the Lord, ever keeping in mind that wonderful promise found in the book of Nehemiah, chapter 8, verse 10: ‘Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Pastor Wilson motivated pastors and their families to remain strong in the Lord and “take time to read and claim the promises in God’s Word, re-consecrate yourselves and your families, praying for revival and reformation personally and in the life of the church,” he said before both him and his wife prayed for the families.

Pastor Israel Leito, IAD president, reminded pastors to renew their commitment to God, renew their calling and re-dedicate their lives and families to God during the online program, while grandchildren Xiomara and Israel look on.

During his keynote message Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in inter-America, reflected on the ministry of Jesus while on earth and the great responsibility ministers have in shepherding God’s people.

“God is the supreme leader and He uses us for the leadership of the people,” said Pastor Leito. “God expects us to lead his people with the same tenderness He did, with the same love as He did, always looking out for the salvation of others.”

Pastor Leito reminded ministers to keep in mind that everything “a pastor touches becomes part of his call.” The calling starts with the parents, from the people they relate to, to the wife that accepts the same calling and the children who make up the ministerial family, to the church members and surrounding community.

“Renew your commitment to God, renew your call, be grateful to parents, spouses and children, worship the Lord, serve the Lord and be faithful to the Lord during this week of re-dedication and consecration to our God,” concluded Pastor Leito as he was surrounded by his daughter-in-law Leticia, grandchildren, Ebony, Xiomara and Israel.

Ebony Leito, granddaughter of IAD President Pastor Israel Leito, sings during the online program.

The one-hour program included Scriptural readings, prayers and music.

Pastors in the IAD are ministering to two, three, four, and as many as 10 congregations across the territory, said Pastor Hector Sanchez, ministerial secretary for the church in Inter-America, so “it is important to emphasize that they need to pause and take time to be fed as a family this designated week of prayer this year.”

It is about encouraging every member of the pastoral family, said Pastor Pedro Iglesias, family ministries director for the church in Inter-America and co-organizer of the event. “We want families to draw close to the Lord and strengthen their ties as a family so they can bring about sound support to the church.”

Pre-recorded messages for the rest of the week of prayer will address the pastoral family as a whole, the pastoral marriage, the pastor as a husband, the pastor’s wife, his children, devotional habits for the family, and more. The programs can be viewed and downloaded in English, Spanish and French at our web channel, by clicking HERE

Inter-America will close it’s pastoral week of prayer with a live program on Sabbath, Feb. 8, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. Miami Time. The live program will be carried in English, Spanish and French, HERE

View pictures of the online event on Jan. 31, HERE